Mailbox Monday
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now hosted on its own blog.
Tuesday: ATONE FOR THE IVORY CLOUD by Geoffrey Wells from Author/PICT (signed)
Thursday: THIS IS NOT OVER by Holly Brown Personal Purchase
Thursday: PAYDOWN by Nick Stevenson from Author
Saturday: CODE BLOOD by Kurt Kamm from Author/PICT
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris
Published by St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: August 9, 2016
ISBN-10: 1250121000
ISBN-13: 978-1250121004
Pages: 304
Review Copy From: Personal Purchase
Edition: Kindle
My Rating: 5+
Synopsis:
Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He’s a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she is a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You might not want to like them, but you do. You’re hopelessly charmed by the ease and comfort of their home, by the graciousness of the dinner parties they throw. You’d like to get to know Grace better.
But it’s difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable.
Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows.
Some might wonder what’s really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed.
From bestselling author B. A. Paris comes the gripping thriller and international phenomenon Behind
My Thoughts and Opinion:
The adage “you don’t know what goes on behind doors” takes that to nth level with this book.
Jack and Grace seem like the perfect couple and so in love. Grace is responsible for her younger sister, who has Down’s syndrome, and Jack wants to help Grace in raising her sister, even to the extent of finding a beautiful house where Millie will some day come to live with them when they return from their honeymoon in Thailand. But Grace soon learns Jack is not the man she thought he was.
A chilling and harrowing psychological read that you won’t forget!! A white knuckle, edge of your seat novel! This, by far, will be in my year’s Top Reads!
This was the first book that I read from this author. Because it was incredible, I have already pre ordered her next novel, THE BREAKDOWN out in June!!
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
Child’s Play
Merry Jones
February 1-28, 2017 Tour
Synopsis:
Since her husband’s murder two years earlier, life hasn’t been easy for Elle Harrison. Now, at the start of a new school year, the second grade teacher is determined to move on. She’s selling her house and delving into new experiences―like learning trapeze.
Just before the first day of school, Elle learns that a former student, Ty Evans, has been released from juvenile detention where he served time for killing his abusive father. Within days of his release, Elle’s school principal, who’d tormented Ty as a child, is brutally murdered. So is a teacher at the school. And Ty’s former girlfriend. All the victims have links to Ty.
Ty’s younger brother, Seth, is in Elle’s class. When Seth shows up at school beaten and bruised, Elle reports the abuse, and authorities remove Seth and his older sister, Katie, from their home. Is Ty the abuser?
Ty seeks Elle out, confiding that she’s the only adult he’s ever trusted. She tries to be open-minded, even wonders if he’s been wrongly condemned. But when she’s assaulted in the night, she suspects that Ty is her attacker. Is he a serial killer? Is she his next intended victim?
Before Elle discovers the truth, she’s caught in a deadly trap that challenges her deepest convictions about guilt and innocence, childhood and family. Pushed to her limits, she’s forced to face her fears and apply new skills in a deadly fight to survive.
MY REVIEW
5 stars
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but after hearing the enthusiastic recommendation from Wall To Wall Books, I just had to read it. Being the 3rd in the series, it was easily read as a stand alone.
I love books where I am transported into the story, being able to visualize the characters and settings and be unaware of my surroundings when reading. And this book had all that and more.
Elle, a 2nd grade teacher at Logan Elementary, is getting her classroom decorated and ready for the start of school, when she stumbles onto the murder of the Principal. It doesn’t end there, more murders and feelings of being stalked. Then a “hit list” is found and she is the next on the list. Who is the killer and why?
I read this book in 2 sittings, unable to stop turning the pages to see what happens next. The revealing of the killer was shocking. I didn’t see that one coming!!
Like Wall to Wall Books recommended this author to me, I am encouraging you to pick up this book. A very can’t put down read. Thrilling!
Book Details:
Genre: Thriller, Suspsense
Published by: Oceanview Publishing
Publication Date: January 3rd 2017
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 1608091910 (ISBN13: 9781608091911)
Series: Elle Harrison Thriller #3 (Each can be read as a Stand Alone Novel)
Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗
Read an excerpt:
I was the first one there.
The parking lot was empty, except for Stan’s pickup truck. Stan was the custodian, tall, hair thinning, face pock-marked from long ago acne. He moved silently, popped out of closets and appeared in corners, prowled the halls armed with a mop or a broom. In fourteen years, I couldn’t remember a single time when he’d looked me in the eye.
Wait—fourteen years? I’d been there that long? Faces of kids I’d taught swirled through my head. The oldest of them would now be, what? Twenty-one? Oh man. Soon I’d be one of those old school marms teaching the kids of my former students, a permanent fixture of the school like the faded picture of George Washington mounted outside the principal’s office. Hell, in a few months, I’d be forty. A middle-aged childless widow who taught second grade over and over again, year after year, repeating the cycle like a hamster on its wheel. Which reminded me: I had to pick up new hamsters. Tragically, last year’s hadn’t made it through the summer.
I told myself to stop dawdling. I had a classroom to organize, cubbies to decorate. On Monday, just three days from now, twenty-three glowing faces would show up for the first day of school, and I had to be ready. I climbed out of the car, pulled a box of supplies from the trunk, started for the building. And stopped.
My heart did triple time, as if responding to danger. But there was no danger. What alarmed me, what sent my heart racing was the school itself. But why? Did it look different? Had the windows been replaced, or the doors? Nothing looked new, but something seemed altered. Off balance. The place didn’t look like an elementary school. It looked like a giant factory. A prison.
God, no. It didn’t look like any of those things. The school was the same as it had always been, just a big brick building. It seemed cold and stark simply because it was unadorned by throngs of children. Except for wifi, Logan Elementary hadn’t changed in fifty years, unless you counted several new layers of soot on the bricks.
I stood in the parking lot, observing the school, seeing it fresh. I’d never paid much attention to it before. When it was filled with students, the building itself became all but invisible, just a structure, a backdrop. But now, empty, it was unable to hide behind the children, the smells of sunshine and peanut butter sandwiches, the sounds of chatter and small shoes pounding Stanley’s waxed tiles. The building stood exposed. I watched it, felt it watching me back. Threatening.
Seriously, what was wrong with me? The school was neither watching nor threatening me. It was a benign pile of bricks and steel. I was wasting time, needed to go in and get to work. But I didn’t take a single step. Go on, I told myself. What was I afraid of? Empty halls, vacant rooms? Blank walls? For a long moment, I stood motionless, eyes fixed on the façade. The carved letters: Logan School. The heavy double doors. The dark windows. Maybe I’d wait a while before going inside. Becky would arrive soon, after she picked up her classroom aquarium.
Other teachers would show up, too. I could go in with them, blend safely into their commotion. I hefted the box, turned back to the car. But no, what was I doing? I didn’t want to wait. I’d come early so I could get work done without interruption or distraction before the others arrived. The school wasn’t daring me, nor was I sensing some impending tragedy. I was just jittery about starting a new year.
I turned around again, faced its faded brown bricks. I steeled my shoulders, took a breath and started across the parking lot. With a reverberating metallic clank, the main doors flew open. Reflexively, I stepped back, half expecting a burst of flames or gunfire. Instead, Stan emerged. For the first time in fourteen years, I was glad to see him. Stan surveyed the parking lot, hitched up his pants. Looked in my direction. He didn’t wave or nod a greeting, didn’t follow social conventions. Even so, his presence grounded me, felt familiar.
I took a breath, reminded myself that the school was just a school. That I was prone to mental wandering and embellishing. And that children would stream into my classroom in just three days, whether I was ready or not.
Author Bio:
Merry Jones is the author of some twenty critically acclaimed books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her work has been translated into seven languages. Her previous Elle Harrison novels have been THE TROUBLE WITH CHARLIE and ELECTIVE PROCEDURES. Jones lives with her husband in Philadelphia.
Catch Up with Merry online:
Website 🔗, Twitter 🔗, & Facebook 🔗
Tour Participants:
Don’t miss your chance to stop by these awesome sites for reviews, guest posts, interviews, & more great giveaways!
Oh, & Enter the Giveaway!
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours for Merry Jones. There will be 1 winner of one $15 Amazon.com Gift Cards AND 3 winners of one (1) eBook copy of Child’s Play by Merry Jones. The giveaway begins on January 26th and runs through March 3rd, 2017.
Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World
by P. F Citizen One
Unexpected is a collection of true life short stories inspired by the author’s travels around the world and the people he has met. The book features seven thought-provoking, humorous and engaging stories that end with the most unlikely twist.
In one of the stories, The Wedding Contract, the author tells the story of a man who was forced to sign a pre-nuptial agreement simply because his wife was wealthy and he was considered poor. As time went on, fortunes changed and the man became far wealthier than his wife. His wife and friends dreaded the worst from him because of his new financial position but what he did next was shocking.
MY REVIEW
UNEXPECTED is a collection of 7 short stories, told by the writer, of people he has met in his travels around the globe.
The stories are tragic, sad, funny and touching. Even though cultures may vary and many miles seperate, it shows that deep down, people’s emotions and thoughts aren’t so far apart.
An enjoyable read!
Book Details
Genre: Anthology, Short Stories
Published by: BookBaby
Publication Date: October 7th 2016
Number of Pages: 23
ISBN: 1483577856 (ISBN13: 9781483577852)
Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 Barnes & Noble 🔗 Goodreads 🔗
Excerpt:
Julie’s parents were concerned. Julie was a single child from a pretty wealthy family with many properties and stores. So, her parents, her family, and her friends convinced her to protect herself by writing a prenup agreement. Should they get divorced, Julie would keep all her family’s belongings. All her entourage pressured her so much that Julie finally arrived at the idea that it was necessary to sign a prenup.
Jean-Pierre didn’t accept it at first, but in the end, he had no choice: Was it worth losing the woman he considered to be his soulmate?
Jean-Pierre and Julie finally got married and had two gorgeous daughters. But Jean-Pierre was still a little bit sad. After all, if they insisted on a contract, it was because her family didn’t completely trust him.
Jean-Pierre had been writing for a few years, and he had written many books. He was also working as a French teacher to get some additional revenue. However, he decided to stop writing to become a full-time teacher and contribute more to the family expenses.
He threw himself into his work as a teacher. One day, as Julie was watching television, she saw that the press was looking for the anonymous author of three books. From their description of the writing, she immediately recognized her husband’s style. After he was identified as the author of these books, he was given royalties for the book sales.
Jean-Pierre soon became very rich and famous, so much so that Julie (and, indeed, the press) was now waiting for the day when Jean-Pierre would cheat on her. She expected that he would eventually divorce her to marry another girl—probably an actress or a model or simply a younger woman. He was now famous and powerful, far richer than his wife and her entire family.
Rumors of cheating grew more and more persistent. The rumors said that Jean-Pierre would ask for a divorce and that he was getting ready for another wedding.
During a press conference, Jean-Pierre was asked about the rumors. He answered that he would act like a man and not hide anything anymore. In front of everyone, he told his wife:
“Honey, since the very first time I met you, I loved you more than I loved any other woman. Then, we got married and had two wonderful girls. I love them so much Over the years, I always thought about…that prenuptial agreement I had to sign because I was poor. Today, I am very rich… I am sorry, honey, but I am announcing…
Author Bio:
P.F. Citizen One is a writer. He works as a petroleum engineer, which requires a lot of traveling to different countries, and he uses the situations and varied people he has come across as an inspiration for his great love of writing. His interest in travel has meant that he has picked up some useful languages along the way, and he is now fluent in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and German, allowing him to go just about anywhere and still be understood. Most of the time. He lists his great fear as ”being stranded alone on a desert island” and, as a result, he avoids traveling by boat whenever he can.
P.F. Citizen One’s new book, Unexpected, was published on October 7th and is a book of short stories, inspired by his travels throughout the world and the people he has met.
Catch Up With P.F. Citizen One on his Website & on Facebook!
INTERVIEW
Welcome!
Writing and Reading:
Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?
As unbelievable as it may seem Unexpected is based on true life stories that people have shared with me. This is true life—unexpected. Tragedy and injustice go hand-in-hand with humor, friendship, and love.
Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
One of the amazing things about writing short stories is that you never know how it ends. You discover the story as you write it. Yet, most of the stories here are based on true life stories.
Are any of your characters based on you or people that you know?
Yes to some extent my characters are based on people I know. Of course I have taken the necessary precautions so that they are not recognized.
Your routine when writing? Any idiosyncrasies?
When I write I usually listen to classical music.
Tell us why we should read this book.
I think you should read my book because the messages it delivers in a ‘’fun’’ way. At first, you feel like you’ve heard these stories many times before, until you read the ending. These stories consistently deliver a punch to the gut, reminding readers to cherish what they have, speak their minds when they can, and never expect life to play out as you expected out as you expected.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
One of my favorite writers is Guy de Maupassant: he was as a master of the short story form.
What are you reading now?
I am currently (re)reading Harry Potter.
Are you working on your next novel? Can you tell us a little about it?
I haven’t started to write my next novel…I mean on paper. I am currently working on translating Unexpected in other languages.
Fun questions:
Your novel will be a movie. Who would you cast?
Thank you so much for funding my movie! Eva green and Omar Sy will be part of the movie!
Favorite leisure activity/hobby?
I enjoy travelling!
Favorite meal?
I enjoy eating a cheeseburger with a strawberry lemonade!
Thank you for stopping by CMash Reads and spending time with us.
Learn More!
Visit the sites below for great features, reviews, and more giveaways!
Don’t Miss Out On Your Chance to WIN!
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours for P. F Citizen One. There will be 3 US winners of one (1) $15.00 Amazon.com Gift Card. There also will be 2 US winners of one (1) eBook copy of Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World by P. F Citizen One. This is subject to change without notification. The giveaway begins on January 29th and runs through March 3rd, 2017.
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KILLING KATE by Alex Lake
Published by Harper Collins
Publication Date: Oct. 6, 2016
ISBN-10: 000819971X
ISBN-13: 978-0008199715
Pages: 416
Review Copy From: Harper Collins
Edition: ARC PB
My Rating: 5
Synopsis:
From the author of ebook No. 1 bestseller and Sunday Times top ten bestseller AFTER ANNA.
A serial killer is stalking your home town.
He has a type: all his victims look the same.
And they all look like you.
Kate returns from a post break-up holiday with her girlfriends to news of a serial killer in her home town – and his victims all look like her.
It could, of course, be a simple coincidence.
Or maybe not.
She becomes convinced she is being watched, followed even. Is she next? And could her mild-mannered ex-boyfriend really be a deranged murderer?
Or is the truth something far more sinister?
My Thoughts and Opinion:
Kate Armstrong, is on vacation with 2 of 3 of her closest friends, having just ended a 10 year relationship with her boyfriend. They say it’s a small world, when she meets Mike, also on vacation and come to find out, lives very close to her.
On returning home, the news is not good. There’s a possible serial killer, and what’s even scarier, the victims all look like Kate.
A chilling read! I thought I knew who the murderer was, keyword thought. The ending was one that I didn’t see coming! A thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
Mailbox Monday
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now hosted on its own blog.
Tuesday: HUSH by Carey Baldwin from Author
Friday: I HAVE A SECRET by Cheryl Bradshaw Personal/Amazon 99¢
Mailbox Monday
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now hosted on its own blog.
MONDAY: THE TOYBREAKER by Roy Chester Personal/Amazon Free
Monday: FROZEN PAST by Richard C. Hale Perdonal/Amazon Free
Tuesday: THREE SECONDS TO RUSH by Danielle Stewart Personal/AmaOn Free
Tuesday: THE DEADLY REAL ESTATE AFFAIR by K.M. Morgan from Author/Won
Thursday: LITTLE GIRL LOST by Carol Wyer Personal Purchase
Thursday: STOLEN by Carey Baldwin from Harper Collins/PICT
Friday: KILLING KATE by Alex Lake from Harper Collins
THE LAST INNOCENT HOUR by Barbara Taylor Sissel
Publication Date: November 21, 2011
ASIN: B006BG77RG
Pages: 186
Review Copy From: Personal Pick
Edition: Kindle
My Rating: 5
Synopsis (via GR):
Something twisted is stalking the Cunningham family. It lurks at the periphery of Beth’s vision. Her husband Charlie can’t help, if she could even remember him; he’s doing time for a murder he didn’t commit. The small child Beth was found with, whom she doesn’t know either, was taken to foster care. There isn’t much time now. If Beth doesn’t recall the hideous events that stole her memory soon, the killer will strike again, and someone else will die.
My Thoughts and Opinion:
I am a big fan of this author, having read many of her books, FAULTLINES, CROOKED LITTLE LIES, SAFE KEEPING, EVIDENCE OF LIFE, THE VOLUNTEER, and THE NINTH STEP. Recently I was going through my Kindle and found that I had this title and I hadn’t read it. How I missed that is beyond me.
Beth Clayton Cunningham returns to her family’s farm at her mother’s request after being away for many years due to an incident with and secrets about her stepfather. Her, her husband and daughter arrive and old feelings and emotions come to the surface.
Her mother now admits that the stepfather married her for the money and land and knows she has made a big mistake. She does not know that this scam goes way beyond her stepfather. Elected officials and the police also want and need this farm. But why?
When greed, money and mental instability are overwhelming, murders seem to be piling up. Can her stepfather be stopped before he hurts her daughter? But how to protect her when Beth has an injury that renders her with amnesia not even knowing her own name. And her husband is charged with the murder of her mother.
Another page turner by Ms. Sissel. The characters are totally relatable. The story flows and I found myself saying “just one more chapter!”
If you have not read anything by this author, I highly recommend any of her books. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
I am accepting books from authors, publishers and/or agents for my review and/or honest opinion. Please click on REVIEW POLICY (at top of blog) for complete listing. Mystery/suspense are favorite genre. I will also accept Print Children's books. Kindle, Nook, IPad accessible. I will not accept any monetary compensation for said opinion. Unique visitors: approx 1,000/week. Please email me regarding any requests and I will respond ASAP. Please see disclaimer of FTC guidelines located left sidebar of this blog.
